Characterization of a YAC containing part or all of the Norrie disease locus

It has been shown from pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE)that the monoamine oxidase genes A and B (MAOA & MAOB) andDXS7 loci are physically very close. We have therefore extendedstudies on their relationship through the characterisation ofa 650 kb YAC isolated using L1.28 (recognising the DXS7 locus)as a probe. Restriction mapping of the YAC indicates that itcontains both MAOA and MAOB genes in addition to the DXS7 locus.The map derived from the YL1.28-YAC is compatible both withthe map from an independently derived YAC carrying MAOA andB genes and with the long range genomic map for the region.A series of subclones prepared from a 'phage library (lambdaDASH II) of the YAC have been characterised and have been employedto determine the end point of the deletion of a Norrie disease(NDP) patient who has been shown to lack both DXS7 and MAO codingsequences. The pattern of retention of subclones in the deletionpatient place the end point of the deletion within 30–130kb of the proximal end of the YAC. By combining the data withestablished recombination analysis, we provide evidence thatall or part of the NDP lies in the interval of approximately250kb within the YAC.     

A study of the freeze-drying conditions of calixarene based solid lipid nanoparticles.

In this note, we report a study of cryoprotectant carbohydrate (glucose, fructose, mannose and maltose) effects on the reconstitution of calixarene based solid lipid nanoparticle (SLN) suspensions after freeze-drying, studied by atomic force microscopy and photon correlation spectroscopy. All carbohydrates tested showed excellent cryoprotection and redispersion properties with the calixarene based SLNs.     

A randomized controlled trial of electromagnetic therapy in the primary care management of venous leg ulceration

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to establish the potential efficacy, tolerabilityand side-effect profile of electromagnetic therapy as an adjunctto conventional dressings in the treatment of venous leg ulcers. METHOD: A prospective, randomized, double blind controlled clinicaltrial was carried out in a dedicated leg ulcer clinic basedin one urban general practice. Nineteen patients with leg ulcersof confirmed venous aetiology were assessed. The main outcomemeasures were rate and scale of venous leg ulcer healing, changesin patient-reported pain levels, quality of life, degree ofmobility, side effect profile and acceptability to patientsand staff. RESULTS: Sixty-eight per cent of patients attending this dedicated clinicachieved improvements in the size of their ulcer (4, 21%, healedfully) and in reduced pain levels (P < 0.05) during the trial,despite the chronicity of ulcer histories. Patients treatedwith electromagnetic therapy at 800 Hz were found at day 50to have significantly greater healing (P < 0.05) and paincontrol (P < 0.05) than placebo therapy or treatment with600 Hz. All patients reported improved mobility at the end ofthe study. The electromagnetic therapy was well tolerated bypatients, with no differences between groups in reporting adverseevents, and proved acceptable to staff. CONCLUSION: Despite the small numbers in this pilot study, electromagnetictherapy provided significant gains in the healing of venousleg ulcers and reduction in pain. Keywords. Electromagnetic therapy, RCT, leg ulcers, primary care.     

Epidemiologists in the United States: an assessment of the current supply and the anticipated need

We provide 1985 estimates of the work force of epidemiologists in the United States, the number of graduates from training programs in epidemiology, and a projection of the future need for these health professionals. Our methods included a search of mailing lists from professional organizations, mail contact with graduate training programs, telephone interviews with experts, and a review of job announcements in professional journals. The study indicates that the current work force of epidemiologists in the United States is estimated to include 4,600 persons, more than half of whom are physicians; most epidemiologists are located in either a state with a major federal public health agency or one with a large population; and programs in epidemiology graduate an average of 475 persons with one or two years of master's level education and approximately 80 with doctoral-level education each year. After considering the factors that influence the supply of epidemiologists, we project a substantial need for more epidemiologists in the future than current sources will provide.     

Vascular and soft tissue calcification in systemic oxalosis: CT diagnosis

Hyperoxaluria may result in diffuse deposition of calcium oxalate crystals in multiple organs. A patient with primary hyperoxaluria presented with peripheral ischemia on this basis. Computed tomography clarified the diagnosis and helped to direct the appropriate management.     

Incidence of cancer in the wilaya of Setif, Algeria

Preliminary results are presented for a general population-based cancer registry in Setif, Algeria, for 1986-88. Standardised incidence rates for all sites, excluding non-melanoma skin cancer, are 70.1 for men and 59.9 for women: these rates are lower than those reported for most populations. The most frequent cancers are lung, stomach and liver in men, and cervix, liver and breast in women. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is frequent in both sexes. Incidence of cancers of the gallbladder and extrahepatic bile ducts in women appears particularly high. These results represent the first detailed incidence data for all cancers in an Algerian population.     

Chronic bullous disease of childhood--another cause for potential misdiagnosis of sexual abuse?

There have been several reports of unusual skin conditions producing genital lesions that can be mistaken for sexual abuse. We report on another unusual skin condition, well known to dermatologists, that can again lead to potential misdiagnosis of sexual abuse.